Stephen J. "Steve" Fitzgerald

Stephen J. "Steve" Fitzgerald


Garrison, Levin-Epstein, Fitzgerald & Pirrotti, P.C.

Recognized since 2013

New Haven, Connecticut

Practice Areas

Employment Law - Individuals

Litigation - ERISA

Litigation - Labor and Employment

Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Employment Law - Individuals Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Litigation - Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2019 - Employment Law - Individuals Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2018 - Litigation - Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - Employment Law - Individuals Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2015 - Litigation - Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2013 - Employment Law - Individuals
Spinning circle Big letter B

Stephen Fitzgerald represents individuals in employment and personal injury matters in Connecticut’s state and federal courts. He also represents railroad workers in courts throughout the country. Steve has won several multi-million dollar jury verdicts for his clients. His peers have ranked him as a Connecticut Super Lawyer since 2011, as the Super Lawyer Employment Lawyer of the Year for 2012, and he has been named Best Lawyer of the Year for Labor & Employment Litigation in the New Haven area by Best Lawyers in America in 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2024.

Steve’s employment practice involves the representation of a wide range of workers including physicians, executives, sales staff, academics, financial services and others. He has handled countless litigations and negotiations involving claims of discrimination, sexual harassment, breach of contract and retaliation. He has enjoyed significant success on behalf of physicians, scientists and others who have been retaliated against for blowing the whistle on employers engaged in unsafe practices. A significant portion of his practice is representing railroad workers who have been injured on the job or retaliated against. He has achieved courtroom victories and several favorable settlements on behalf of railroad workers who have been retaliated against and disciplined for speaking out about safety issues in violation of the Federal Rail Safety Act (FRSA). Steve also handles personal injury claims from passengers involved in train accidents.

Steve is an accomplished trial advocate, having served as lead counsel on over 40 jury trials. Before joining Garrison, Levin-Epstein in 2001, he served for over ten years as an Assistant District Attorney at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, where he rose to the rank of Supervising Attorney. Steve has also taught Trial Practice at both Fordham Law School and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.

Steve prides himself on the personal attention he gives to each one of his clients, including those who have been injured.

Steve is admitted to practice in the state courts of Connecticut and New York, as well as in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the United States District Courts for the District of Connecticut, the Southern District of New York, and the Eastern District of New York. He is a member of the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA), the New Haven County Bar Association, and the New Haven Inn of Court, and has published in the Connecticut Law Tribune. He graduated from Boston College and Fordham University School of Law.

An active participant in his community, Stephen Fitzgerald chairs the North Haven Open Space Committee for the preservation of public property, sits on the board of the North Haven Trail Committee, and has coached each of his three daughters’ softball teams. He was born and raised in Stamford, CT.

Location
  • 405 Orange Street
    New Haven, CT 06511
Education
  • Fordham University, J.D., graduated 1988
  • Boston College, B.A.
Bar Admissions
  • Connecticut, 1988
  • New York, 1989
Affiliations
  • National Employment Lawyers Association - Member
  • New Haven County Bar Association - Member
  • New Haven Inn of Court - Member
  • North Haven Open Space Committee - Member
  • North Haven Trail Committee - Board Member
Court Admissions
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
  • United States District Courts for the District of Connecticut
  • United States District Courts for the Southern District of New York
  • United States District Courts for the Eastern District of New York

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Employment Law - Individuals Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Litigation - Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2019 - Employment Law - Individuals Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2018 - Litigation - Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - Employment Law - Individuals Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2015 - Litigation - Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2013 - Employment Law - Individuals
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Employment Law - Individuals, New Haven (2024)
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment, New Haven (2021)
  • Employment Law - Individuals, New Haven (2019)
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment, New Haven (2018)
  • Employment Law - Individuals, New Haven (2017)
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment, New Haven (2015)
  • Employment Law - Individuals, New Haven (2013)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
  • Employment Law - Individuals
  • Litigation - ERISA
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment
  • Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
Special Focus:
  • Criminal
  • Plaintiffs
Awards:
  • 2024 Best Lawyers

  • 2023 Best Lawyers

  • 2022 Best Lawyers

  • 2021 Best Lawyers
  • 2021 Best Lawyers "Lawyer of the Year" in Litigation- Labor and Employment
  • 2018- 2020 Lawdragon
  • 2011-2019 Connecticut Super Lawyers
  • 2012 Employment Lawyer of the Year, Super Lawyers
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Employment Law - Management
  • Litigation - First Amendment

Publications

Your browser is not fully compatible with our automatic printer friendly formatting.

Please use the print button to print this profile page.

Spinning circle Big letter B